I was in a single-car accident: Could someone else be at fault?

Driving a motor vehicle is dangerous no matter how safe and defensive you try to be with your driving behaviors. As such, an accident can literally happen at any moment. If another driver is at fault for your accident, and any resulting injuries, then that driver will be financially liable to pay you for the costs related to your medical care and other damages.

However, what if no other drivers were involved and it was a single-car accident, only involving your vehicle. Could another party still be to blame?

The liability of other parties in single car accidents

The answer to this question is most certainly, yes. It’s possible for another party to be at fault for your single car crash, but it depends entirely on the circumstances that led to your accident.

Here are some situations in which another party might be at fault for your single-car crash:

Automotive defects: Note the recent scandal pertaining to the dangerous Takata airbags, which can explode like little bombs and send hot shrapnel throughout your vehicle compartment. The reality of dangerous motor vehicle defects had become apparent. Let’s say you accidentally drive into a tree, your faulty airbag explodes and it causes catastrophic injuries. Although the airbag manufacturer was not at fault for the collision, it could be liable for your injuries.

Automotive defects might also interfere with your ability to brake, steer and operate your vehicle resulting in an injurious crash. In these cases, the negligent auto parts or automobile manufacturer could be liable for damages.

Bad road designs, poorly marked roads and poorly maintained: A city, municipality or government entity is responsible for maintaining safe road conditions. Let’s say a city fails to put up appropriate signs, fails to maintain its signs, fails to maintain the roadway or fails to do something else that is vital to roadway safety. The government body could be liable for damages and injuries related to accidents that result from these failures.

Unavoidable accidents: Let’s say another motorist acts negligently, recklessly or unlawfully in a way that causes you to try and avoid the accident or lose control of your vehicle and it results in an auxiliary crash that doesn’t involve the initial motorist. In this case, the initial motorist may be at-fault and liable.

Consider all potentially liable parties after any single-car crash

Many single vehicle accident victims are surprised to find that they can pursue a claim for damages in their car crash due to a previously unconsidered liable party. As such, it is important to think about who really could be at fault following any injurious single-car crash.